Sermons About Guilt
Peace With God (Romans 5:1)
The natural man is at war with God. However, in Christ, the war is over -- we have peace with God!
0 Amens
The Way of Salvation: Part 1 (Romans 3:21-22)
This passage serves as a key turning point in Paul's letter to the Romans. Until now he has been demonstrating our sinfulness before God, the fact that we have nothing to commend ourselves to God, and that we cannot possibly do anything to earn God's favor. Now Paul shifts to show how we can receive God's favor and mercy -- through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus becomes not simply our advocate, but he becomes our substitute, taking upon himself our sins and punishment and giving us his righteousness -- a righteousness that comes only through him. The faith that receives this gift of righteousness is a faith that knows the gospel, believes the gospel, and entrusts ourselves to Christ.
0 Amens
That Every Mouth May Be Silent (Romans 3:9-20)
Paul's argument in this passage is that of a prosecutor. He demonstrates beyond any doubt that we are totally depraved, that our sin leaves us with no defense before a holy and righteous judge. By ourselves we cannot earn God's approval, and we deserve only wrath and judgment. But praise God for his provision of a Savior, Jesus Christ, who is our advocate and our righteousness. Though everyone stands guilty before God, everyone who calls on the name of Jesus will be saved, accepted by God, and adopted into God's family as his child.
0 Amens
The Law and the Glorious Gospel
When Paul warned Timothy about teachers of false doctrine, he charged him to resist their call to use the law as a means of salvation. False teachers want to use the law unlawfully, as a way to merit their standing before God. But why did God give us the law? Is it still useful for us now? How can we use the law lawfully, as God intended?
0 Amens
2 Samuel 18.1-19.8 - A Sad Victory
This is the final battle that determines who is king. David's men defeats Absalom and kills him contrary to David's request and command. While Joab may have been disobedient in this action, he is still acting more like a king that David, who is passive. David finally receives the news about the death of Absalom and morns for his son. His morning actually hurts the troops and demoralizes Israel in the process. One will benefit from this narrative when one places it and the sad vistory with the emphasis on David's guilt and solution in grace of God in Christ.
1 Amens
Mankind: Without Excuse (Romans 1:18-23)
In this section of Romans, Paul begins to demonstrate our need for the gospel. He points to God's wrath, which is God's righteous antagonism to that which is unholy and unrighteous. He proves our own unrighteousness, showing that we are many times over without excuse before God. Paul shows that our sin is a form of idolatry, giving to something else the worship and service and love that God deserves. In light of this proof of our sin, the provision of Christ as our Savior shines as a glorious and welcome hope. He came to redeem us from sin, to give us his righteousness in place of our sin and guilt. What a glorious gift this is!
0 Amens
Who's to Blame?
The well-known historical question, "Who's to blame for the death of Jesus?" is explored as the story of Jesus and Pilate is considered from Mark 15:1-15.
0 Amens
